There are a number of settings in Map Capture that allow you to customize the camera angles and flight path to ensure you capture the critical details of your scene.

Settings will persist between scans of the same capture mode and through power cycles. If you would like to restore settings back to default, select the reset button in the top right on the workflow pane during the Review or Edit Settings steps of a scan.

For example industry use cases and recommended settings, check out this article. 

Camera Settings

Based on the available lighting conditions, your drone will automatically adjust photo settings to ensure it captures the best quality images. Always monitor Flight Deck for in-app alerts notifying you if there are problems with the lighting conditions.

General Best Practices

One factor of a successful reconstruction is consistency between images. When White Balance is set to Auto, the value is locked based on the first image of the scan If you set a specific White Balance value, this will be used throughout the scan Lower values result in a cooler (blues) image while higher values result in a warmer (yellows) image

Zoom

AutoFocus (AF) Skydio 3D Scan will default to AutoFocus when capturing images while scanning. Manual Focus (MF) and Tap to Focus are only available during scan setup and manual capture.
VT300-Z and VT300-L/V100-L Sensor Package Zoom The VT300-Z sensor package defaults to the Narrow camera, and the VT300-L/V100-L sensor package defaults to the Wide camera. Zooming is not available while actively scanning.

Configuring photo settings

Ensure you have configured the following photo settings, including thermal options, before starting your scan. 

With the VT300-L or V100-L sensor packages, you have the ability to select between the wide lens and the narrow lens in the Scan Settings step under Camera FOV. The wide lens is best for closeup inspections  and allows the drone to scan faster, resulting in X10 traveling less total distance.  The narrow lens is best for inspections that are further away, but your scan may take longer to complete.

Photo Settings
File Type Choose whether you want Skydio X10 to capture JPG images only, or both JPG and DNG files. JPG - Digital image format containing compressed image data. DNG - RAW image format file, meaning it is not compressed and retains all original photo data. A DNG file is larger than a JPG file since it stores image data. [note] Full Resolution DNG photos (64 MP with the Narrow lens, 50MP with the Wide lens) can only be captured when Stop for Photo is enabled. If you enable Full Resolution DNG capture, this will automatically toggle on Stop for Photo. This is to ensure the completion of writing files to the microSD card. [/note] Resolution Refers to the amount of detail in your video. Measured in megapixels. Full - Images are captured at the highest quality, providing more detail and clarity. ¼ - Images are captured at one-fourth of the full resolution, resulting in smaller file sizes. Best for conserving storage space or transmitting images faster. Camera Mode Standard - Designed for typical, everyday lighting conditions. Provides a balanced, standard level of exposure, image processing, and contrast. Low Light - Designed for environments with dim lighting, such as indoors or evening. Settings are adjusted to capture more light, reduce noise, and improve visibility. HDR - Designed to capture environments with a wide range of brightness levels. Multiple images are captured at different exposures and then combined to create a single, balanced image.
Resolution Recommendations
Full resolution Camera Mode: Standard	Scenes with bright lighting conditions, such as daytime
1/4 resolution Camera Mode: Standard	Lowlight environments, such as under a bridge or indoor environments
1/4 resolution Camera Mode: Lowlight	Scenes with dim lighting, such as indoors or evening
1/4 resolution Camera Mode: HDR	Scenes with a wide range of brightness levels
For more information on Skydio X10 camera settings, read Understanding Skydio X10 camera and video settings. DNG must be enabled for each independent scan. Note that your settings will not persist. When reviewing your scan images in the Media menu, only JPG images are shown. Transfer your media to access DNG or RJPG files. White balance should remain the same during a scan, so we do not recommend using Auto White Balance. Instead, manually set your White Balance when scanning to ensure consistent images. Variations could result in poor reconstructions.
[note] When Interval is enabled, your drone will continuously capture photos at the specified time until the setting is disabled or the flight ends. Only available when the scan is paused or when capturing photos manually. The fastest interval photo setting is five seconds. [/note]
Thermal Settings
Thermal Capture Enable to capture thermal images as JPG files. RJPG - When enabled, your drone will capture a Radiometric JPG which includes the radiometric data within the photo file

[note] You are able to utilize the flashlight on VT300-L/V100-L while scanning. However, doing so may impact photogrammetry reconstruction results. [/note]

Map Capture Settings

Height over Launch

The most important setting for Map Captures. Lower height means more photos taken and higher resolution, but an increased total scan time.

The Height corresponds directly to Ground Sample Distance (GSD). Set the Height higher than the slider options by piloting the drone to your desired height and tapping the Set Height to Current button. 

• The Distance to Surface (DtS) range for Map Captures is 3.3 ft - 1500 ft (1 m - 457 m)

Skydio X10 Wide camera GSD at various fixed Distance to Surface

Height (m)	Height (ft)	Full Resolution (50MP) GSD (mm)	1/4 Resolution (12MP) GSD (mm)
1.5	5	0.31	0.62
3	10	0.41	0.83
4.6	15	0.62	1.24
6.1	20	0.83	1.65
9.1	30	1.03	2.07
12.2	40	1.24	2.48
15.2	50	1.45	2.89
22.9	75	1.65	3.31
30.5	100	1.86	3.72
45.7	150	2.07	4.13
61	200	2.27	4.55

Skydio X10 Narrow camera GSD at various fixed Distance to Surface

Height (m)	Height (ft)	Full Resolution (64MP) GSD (mm)	1/4 Resolution (16MP) GSD (mm)
1.5	5	0.12	0.24
3	10	0.24	0.49
4.6	15	0.37	0.74
6.1	20	0.49	0.99
9.1	30	0.74	1.47
12.2	40	0.99	1.98
15.2	50	1.23	2.46
22.9	75	1.85	3.7
30.5	100	2.47	4.94
45.7	150	3.7	7.4
61	200	4.94	9.87

 

Overlap Percentage

Overlap between photos along a path. The default overlap is 80%; high overlap is recommended for complex scenes.

Sidelap Percentage

Sidelap between two adjacent flight paths. The default sidelap is 70%; high sidelap is recommended for complex scenes.

Gimbal Pitch Down

By default, the sensor package points straight down (nadir) during a Map Capture. Utilize the Gimbal Pitch Down slider to change this to an oblique angle.

Step 1 - Select Edit Settings After setting your scan boundaries, select Edit Settings in the Review Settings step.
Step 2 - Use the slider to set your camera angle Scroll until you see Gimbal Pitch Down. By default this is set to 90 degrees. Set the camera angle between 55° and 90°
[note] When enabled, Cross Hatch will use this angle, but Perimeter will not. You have the ability to set the camera angle when you enable Perimeter. [/note]

Crosshatch

Capture oblique images by enabling the Crosshatch setting. When enabled, Skydio will capture in a rotating lawn mower pattern.

• This increases the number of photos but provides better oblique imagery for reconstruction
• Instead of capturing nadir (top-down), the camera gimbal angle is adjustable to capture images at an angle for more detailed reconstruction
• The sensor package angle is set to 90° by default
• Adjust the sensor package angle slider to your desired camera angle. The range for the Crosshatch setting is 55-85 degrees

When disabled, the drone will capture photos in a nadir lawn mower pattern.

[info] Crosshatch will use the value that you set in Gimbal Pitch Down. [/info] 

Perimeter

Scan 3D volumes by traversing the 2D perimeter at multiple heights and taking pictures inward.

• Take place at the end of the scan, and the additional inward photos will improve reconstruction
• This is a good setting to enable when scanning vertical structures like tall buildings or towers
• The sensor package angle is set to 60° by default

Adjust the Gimbal Pitch Down slider to your desired camera angle. The sensor package angle range for the Perimeter setting is 0-90 degrees.

You can also set an Overlap specific to the photos taken along the perimeter. 

Diagonal

When enabled, X10 will fly a diagonal path at the end of the scan to capture additional photos through the center of the scan area.

• The sensor package angle is set to 60° by default (Gimbal Pitch Down)
• Diagonal Overlap set to 85% by default

Speed

Use the Speed slider to set the maximum speed at which Skydio will travel while scanning and when returning to the Launch Point or Rally Point.

Speed settings for Map Capture:

• 1.1 mph - 35.8 mph (0.5 m/s - 16 m/s)
• Default speed is 11.2 mph (5 m/s)

Geofence

Enable the toggle Strict Boundaries and the geofence will keep the drone strictly within the scan boundaries.

[note] Skydio will skip image capture locations that are located outside of the geofence boundary. This may result in gaps in coverage. [/note]

Stop for Photo

By default, the drone will fly through image capture points without stopping for smooth and efficient flight.

• Skydio automatically sets the best speed to capture photos based on your scan distance and lighting conditions, while ensuring your images remain crisp and clear

Toggle this setting on if you would like Skydio to stop before capturing a photo at each capture point.

• The drone will still accelerate between capture points
• Enabling this setting significantly increases the amount of time and batteries required to complete your scan

Custom Flight Direction

By default, the direction of the drone aligns with the longest edge of the polygon you create when setting the boundaries. Tailor your flight path to fit your scan site by enabling Custom Flight Direction.

Utilize this setting if you are scanning a complex area with an irregular shape.

Step 1 - Select Edit Settings After setting your scan boundaries, select Edit Settings in the Review Settings step.
Step 2 - Enable Custom Flight Direction Scroll until you see Custom Flight Direction and select the toggle to enable. From here, you can adjust the flight direction three ways: Tap and hold the arrows directly on the map to drag to adjust the planned path Use the slider to adjust Manually type in the degrees The Flight Direction ranges from 0 to 359°, where 0° represents true north on the map.
[note] If you enable Custom Flight Direction, the direction you set will persist across scans. [/note]

Perpendicular Camera Heading

By default, the camera heading is aligned parallel to the direction the drone travels. Enable Perpendicular Camera Heading to adjust the camera to face perpendicular to the direction the drone is traveling.

For example, if you are scanning a solar farm, set the direction that the drone faces throughout the scan using Custom Flight Direction, and then enable Perpendicular Camera Heading so that it looks toward the face of the panels instead of the edges.

Step 1 - Select Edit Settings After setting your scan boundaries, select Edit Settings in the Review Settings step.
Step 2 - Enable Perpendicular Camera Heading Scroll until you see Perpendicular Camera Heading and select the toggle to enable. Once enabled, you have the option to flip the camera heading by 180 degrees.

 

Explore More

How to use Map Capture with Skydio X10 

Example use case settings for scanning with Skydio X10

How to create Onboard Maps and Models with Skydio X10

 

Skydio, Inc. A0525